Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums

Arrest George Rogers Clark?!

This extraordinary 1797 arrest warrant ordered the Sheriff of Jefferson County, Virginia, to apprehend none other than George Rogers Clark - the Revolutionary War hero whose military campaigns secured the Northwest Territory for the United States and helped shape the nation's future.

The warrant stemmed from a civil dispute involving an alleged "covenant broken" and claimed damages of 2,200 pounds. Yet the story takes an unexpected turn: attached to the warrant is a note requesting that the lawsuit against General Clark be discontinued and the papers returned.

By the late 1790s, Clark's fortunes had dramatically changed. Once celebrated as the conqueror of Vincennes and one of America's great frontier leaders, he struggled financially and politically, offering a glimpse into the difficult final years of a man who had once been a national hero.

Exiled, but not silent.

This remarkable 1853 letter was written by Hungarian patriot Lajos Kossuth while living in England after the failed Hungarian Revolution of 1848–49. Once Governor of an independent Hungary, Kossuth was forced into exile when the uprising was crushed. From abroad, he continued his fight for Hungarian freedom by seeking support from influential figures across Europe and America.

In this letter, Kossuth appeals to contacts in Manchester, hoping to rally British liberals to the Hungarian cause during a time he describes as “extremely pressing.”

Are you a fan of worldle? Take it to the next level and play Manuscriptle on karpeles.com - its like wordle, except the words are from our collection/history!

At our new St. Augustine location (opening soon!) you can see our Disney exhibit! Included in our collection is this official guide on how to draw Donald Duck!

One of the exhibits you'll find at our new St. Augustine location (opening this summer!) is our "Presidents Before Presidents" collection! Here's a little sneak preview...

Peyton Randolph served as the first President of the Continental Congress, leading the Congress for 47 days during a pivotal moment in colonial resistance.

Displayed here is a Virginia two-pound note signed by Randolph just eighteen months before assuming his role in Congress. Unlike modern paper currency, colonial bills were issued in relatively small quantities, allowing government officials to personally sign each note by hand.

An especially striking detail appears along the left border of the bill: the warning, “To Counterfeit is Death.” The phrase reflects both the seriousness of counterfeiting in the colonial era and the importance of maintaining trust in early American currency.

Did you know Walt Disney had a brother?

While Walt is often credited with the success of the Disney animation studio, his older brother Roy O. Disney played an equally vital role behind the scenes. Roy was involved in the company from its earliest days and oversaw its financial operations for decades. After Walt’s death in 1966, Roy assumed leadership of the company as chairman, having previously served as its president. Leadership of the studio would later pass to his son, Roy E. Disney.

The document displayed here, signed by Roy in 1958, illustrates the financial strategies that supported Disney’s ambitious productions. In this agreement, Walt Disney Productions pledged the rights to the forthcoming film One Hundred and One Dalmatians as collateral for an $8,500,000 loan from Bank of America.

ST. AUGUSTINE! Get ready! THIS SUMMER we're opening our new flagship location! Here's a little sneak peek at what we'll have on display... an entire Star Trek exhibit! From 1965, this is William Shatner's original contract for the original series! It reads, “Shatner will be paid $10,000 for his services in the pilot…If there is a series order after May 1, 1966, there will be a mutual obligation for Shatner to be employed for the first production year.”

Come see TONS more Star Trek manuscripts, plus countless other manuscripts from political history, art, religion, science, music, sports, and more!

📍 105 St. George St. (and a mini location across the street!)

Marsha Karpeles founded the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums alongside her husband, David Karpeles. We now have a new game on our website, inspired by Marsha's favorite game in the 90's! Visit karpeles.com to play! (only on desktop)

A fascinating piece from the final days of Harry S. Truman’s presidency — a confidential White House press release dated January 15, 1953, prepared just days before the inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Signed by Truman himself, the document reflects on the peaceful transfer of power, his return to life as a “plain private citizen,” and the responsibilities of American leadership during the early Cold War. 🇺🇸📜

A remarkable Revolutionary War–era letter attributed to George Washington, written in 1783 as the United States stood on the brink of peace and independence. Discussing British refusal to vacate western frontier forts even after the Articles of Peace were agreed upon, the manuscript offers a rare glimpse into the fragile transition from war to diplomacy and the challenges of securing the nation’s borders in the earliest days of the republic. 🇺🇸📜